Since its establishment in 1945, the U.N. has been in a constant state of transition as various international stakeholders seek ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the U.N. system. Recent controversies, such as corruption of the Iraq Oil-For-Food Program, allegations of sexual abuse by U.N. peacekeepers, and instances of waste, fraud and abuse by U.N. staff, have focused renewed attention on the need for change and improvement of the U.N. Contents of this report: (1) Introduction; (2) Background; (3) Recently Adopted and/or Implemented Reforms and the New Secretary-General; (4) Congress and U.N. Reform; (5) Administrative Policies; (6) Reform Perspectives and Priorities; (7) Implementing Reform: Mechanics and Possible Challenges.

The UN celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2015. An exciting story is told of past reforms by each Secretary-General, completed by a very detailed chronology of change events. Valuable insight is gained for shaping future reform initiatives.

The United Nations Was Set Up At The End Of The Second World War, In 1945, To Replace The Ill-Fated League Of Nations. The United States, The United Kingdom, Russia (Former Ussr), France And China Are Permanent Members Of The Security Council, The Most Powerful Organ Of The United Nations. At That Time, The United States Was The Most Powerful Country Economically, Technologically And Militarily. It Has Been Playing A Dominant Role In All Decisions Taken By The United Nations And Its Affiliated Agencies. It Has Been Dominating Other Countries And Flouting The Rules And Provisions Of The United Nations. To Give A Concrete Example, The Grant Of Loans By The World Bank, Imf And Ifc Is Substantially Influenced By The United States, Instead Of Being Guided By Commercial And Financial Prudence. During The Last Six Decades, The Position Of The World Has Substantially Changed In Regard To The Economic, Military And Technological Power. This Has Necessitated The Redrawing Of The United Nations And Its Various Agencies. Unfortunately, This Is Being Strongly Resisted By The United States And Other Permanent Members Of The Security Council. The Volumes Include Viewpoints Of The Secretary-General As Well As All The Important Countries In Regard To The Reforms Of The United Nations. They Also Include A Large Number Of Documents Concerning These Reforms. A Detailed Bibliography Has Been Included To Enable The Inquisitive Readers To Pursue The Subject Further. The Volumes Would Be Found Highly Useful By The Students, Researchers And Teachers Of Political Science And Economics. They Would Also Be Useful For Executives And Parliamentarians Of All The Countries Concerned With The Working Of The United Nations And Its Agencies.

Multilateral organizations - the United Nations (UN) in particular - have played, and continue to play, an important role in shaping the security sector reform (SSR) agenda, both in terms of policy development and the provision of support to a wide range of national SSR processes. This volume presents a variety of perspectives on UN support to SSR, past and present, with attention to policy and operational practice. Drawing from the experience of UN practitioners combined with external experts on SSR, this volume offers an in-depth exploration of the UN approach to SSR from a global perspective.

In March 2000, the United Nations Secretary-General convened an international panel to conduct a major study on United Nations Peace Operations. Chaired by former Algerian Foreign Minister and current Under-Secretary-General, Lakhdar Brahimi, the Panel was tasked to conduct a wide-ranging study and analysis over lessons learned from past operations such as those in Rwanda and Somalia, as well as current missions in Kosovo, East Timor, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Panel looked at how peacekeeping missions could achieve greater efficiency and success in attaining the key objectives of maintaining peace and promoting reconciliation and reconstruction. It also reviewed the context within which peacekeeping missions took place, the resources and limitations of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) specifically, and the modality, efficacy, and extent of assistance rendered by the 'international community' within the framework of peacekeeping and peace-building in general. The fifth in a series of conferences organised on lessons learnt from peacekeeping operations was held under the auspices of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) of Singapore and the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA). Throughout two intense days in Singapore, in April 2001, an eminent group of academics, government officials, representatives of international organisations, representatives from ongoing UN Missions, and military scholars gathered behind closed doors to reflect upon the recommendations of the Brahimi Report and the obstacles to reform of peacekeeping. This volume contains all the papers presented at that event. It also includes the Co-Chairs' Summary and Recommendations. The Report is a summary of the many animated debates that took place during the conference. Recommendations of the Co-Chairs have been drawn from the broad range of opinions and insights from the conference. The findings and reactions of the participants to the Brahimi Report should give policy-makers, researchers, and international affairs analysts a candid review and critique of past experiences that is essential to the comprehension of the failures of current peacekeeping and requirements for future success.